Joint JI-Government Committee Formed to Discuss Fuel Relief Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on Tuesday the formation of a joint committee between the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the government to explore the expansion of the fuel relief scheme, following JI’s demands for the abolition of the petroleum levy.

During a press conference in Islamabad, Iqbal revealed that the decision came after a meeting between JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where they discussed the urgent need to provide relief to the public amid rising fuel costs. Iqbal emphasized that both leaders share a common goal of alleviating public hardships.

Rehman warned that if the government fails to announce significant relief measures by mid-November, the JI would organize a protest march to Islamabad against the petroleum levy. Iqbal reiterated the importance of adopting a sustainable approach to any relief measures, ensuring they are financially viable.

The committee will consist of three representatives from the JI and three from the government, including Iqbal and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. This collaborative effort aims to address the pressing economic concerns faced by citizens and to formulate a strategy that balances public relief with fiscal responsibility.